Chapter 14 Gender and Sexuality Defining Some Terms Sex: Whether you are biologically male or female Gender: All the psychological and social characteristics associated with being male or female Defined by one’s gender identity and learned gender roles Transsexuals: When a person’s biological sex conflicts with his or her preferred psychological and social gender roles The Biology of Sex Terms Primary Sexual Characteristics: Sexual and reproductive organs Secondary Sexual Characteristics: Features other than sexual and reproductive organs (breasts, facial hair, etc.) that appear at puberty Menarche: Onset of menstruation; a woman’s first menstrual period Ovulation: Release of ova (eggs) from the ovaries Menopause: End of monthly menstrual cycles; usually occurs in the late 40s or early 50s Sex Hormones Gonads: Sex glands Testes in males and ovaries in females Estrogens: Female Hormones Androgens: Male hormones Testosterone: Male sex hormone (androgen) secreted mainly by the testes Dimensions of Sex Genetic Sex: XX or XY chromosomes Gonadal Sex: Ovaries or testes Hormonal Sex: Predominance of androgens or estrogens Genital Sex: Clitoris and vagina in females Penis and scrotum in males Gender Identity: One’s subjective sense of being male or female Prenatal Sexual Development Differentiation begins at conception with chromosomal sex For first 6-7 weeks gestation, tissue for genitalia is the same in all embryos Little testosterone develops into female, more becomes a male Difficulties in Prenatal Sexual Development Androgen Insensitivity: Inherited disorder Male embryos fail to develop male genitals because of an unresponsiveness to testosterone Intersexual Person: One who has dual or ambiguous genital sexuality Having genitals that suggest both sexes Difficulties in Prenatal Sexual Development (Continued) Androgenital Syndrome: Genetic abnormality Adrenals produce excess androgens, sometimes creating a female child with male genitals Biological Biasing Effect: Exposure to prenatal androgens and estrogens may influence the body, nervous system, and later behavior patterns Gender Identity and Roles Gender Identity Gender Role Socialization: The process of learning gender behaviors regarded as appropriate for one’s sex in a given culture Gender Roles Sometimes known as sex roles Defined as favored pattern of behavior for males and females E.g. girls are expected to be sensitive and boys dominant Gender Role Stereotypes: Oversimplified beliefs (stereotypes) about what men and women are really like Gender roles appear to be learned “Female” and “Male” Behaviors Instrumental Behaviors: Goal-directed behaviors Expressive Behaviors: Expresses or communicates emotion or personal feelings Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and Androgyny BSRI: Created by Sandra Bem Consists of 60 personal traits, 20 each for “masculine,” “feminine,” and “neutral” Androgyny: Having both masculine and feminine traits in a single person Androgynous individuals are more adaptable in our society (Bem) Rigid gender stereotypes can restrict behavior, especially that of males (Bem) Sexual Behavior Human Sexual Response: Masters and Johnson’s Discoveries Sexual response can be divided into four phases Phases are the same for all people regardless of sexual orientation Excitement: Initial signs of sexual arousal Plateau: Physical arousal intensifies Orgasm: Climax and release of sexual tension Resolution: Return to lower levels of sexual tension and arousal For men: refractory period What is “Normal”? The Kinsey Studies Conducted extensive interviews of over 17,000 people in the 1940’s to determine patterns of sexual activity 90% of men and >50% of women had premarital sex Nearly all masturbated 50% men and 26% married women had affairs 40% college-educated couples engaged in oral sex Criticisms of Kinsey’s research Sample largely young, white, urban, middle class Leading questions Pattern of sexual behavior for American adults (Mosher, Chandra, and Jones, 2005) Average frequency of sexual intercourse per week (Smith, 1990) Percentage of women and men who masturbate (Janus and Janus, 1993) Atypical Sexual Behavior Paraphilias: Sexual deviations Can be compulsive or destructive deviations in sexual preferences or behaviors Some Paraphilias Pedophilia: Sex with children and child molesting Sexual Sadism: Deriving sexual pleasure from inflicting pain Sexual Masochism: Deriving sexual pleasure from receiving pain Frotteurism: Sexually touching or rubbing against a nonconsenting person, usually in a public place like an elevator or subway Exhibitionism: “Flashing” genitals to unwilling viewers Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation Degree of emotional and erotic attraction to members of the same sex, opposite sex, or both sexes Heterosexual: Romantically and erotically attracted to the opposite sex Bisexual: Romantically and erotically attracted to both sexes Homosexuality Homosexual: Romantically and erotically attracted to the same sex Part of the normal range of variations in sexual orientation Tend to discover their sexual orientation at a fairly late date Usually not until early adolescence Homosexuality Causes: Prenatal hormonal theory of homosexuality: Some male fetuses are exposed to too little testosterone Some female fetuses are exposed to too much testosterone Differences in neurotransmitter levels have been detected in the hypothalamus in homosexual and heterosexual persons Unlikely that parenting makes children homosexual Natural biological variant? observed in all human cultures observed in many species of animals in their normal habitat, all the higher primates is not associated with fatality or sterility (no violation of natural selection) Homophobia Fear of homosexuality Prejudice, fear, and dislike directed at homosexuals, both male and female Coming Out Acknowledgement of sexual orientation to self, and then to others Self-acceptance is essential Various reasons for people to choose to let others know who they really are Most difficult step commonly involves coming out to parents Still exists hostility and prejudices for those who take this step Gay and Lesbian People Do not try to convert others to homosexuality. Do not molest children. Are not mentally ill. Do not hate persons of the opposite sex. Do not, as parents, make their own children gay. Do have long-term, caring, monogamous relationships. Are no less able to contribute to society than heterosexuals. STDs and Sexuality Education Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) A disease that is passed from one person to another by intimate physical contact A venereal disease May be asymptomatic: Having a disease while lacking obvious symptoms Makes the disease harder to detect HIV and AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Sexually transmitted virus that disables the immune system Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): Caused by HIV, and frequently fatal The immune system is weakened, allowing other diseases and infections to invade the body White blood cell count is often lowered dangerously STD: Risky Behaviors Sharing drug needles and syringes Anal sex, with or without a condom Unprotected sex (without a condom) with an infected partner Sex with someone you know, or do not know, who has several partners Vaginal or oral sex with an intravenous drug user Having many sex partners Safer Sex Practices Not having sex Not injecting drugs Using a condom Sex with one mutually faithful, uninfected partner Not engaging in sex while intoxicated Reducing the number of sex partners Sexuality Education In a review of the most effective programs, Kirby (2000) identified some common characteristics: Focus on reducing one or more behaviors that lead to unintended pregnancy or HIV/STD infection. Based on theoretical approaches that have been shown to be effective in influencing other health related risk behaviors. They send a clear message by continually taking a strong stance on these risky behaviors. They include activities that address social pressures associated with sexual behaviors Effective Sex Ed (Cont’d) They provide models of communication, negotiation, and refusal behaviors. They provide accurate info about the risks of unprotected intercourse and methods of avoiding unprotected intercourse. They employ a variety of teaching methods designed to involve the participants and have them personalize the info. They incorporate behavioral goals, teaching methods and materials that are appropriate to the age, experience and culture of the students. Maintaining Positive Relationships Sexual Satisfaction (McCarthy, 1995) Elements necessary for a continuing healthy sexual relationship Sexual anticipation Valuing one’s sexuality Feeling that you deserve sexual pleasure Valuing intimacy Maintaining a Healthy Relationship Express positive and negative feelings Be open about feelings Don’t attack the other’s character Don’t try to “win” a fight Recognize that anger is appropriate Try to empathize Don’t be a “mind-reader” Ways to Mess Up a Relationship (Strong & DeVault, 1994) Don’t talk about anything meaningful Never show your feelings Pretend everything is okay, even if you are upset or dissatisfied Always win, never compromise Always keep busy Ways to Mess Up a Relationship (Continued) Always be right Never argue Make your partner guess what you want Always take care of your own needs first Keep the television set on

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